My wife (Dr. Julie)and I are natural care physicians working in Freeport Illinois. We also raise Alpacas on our farmette outside of town. Having practiced in Chicagoland for 20 years we are very much enjoying the more rural lifestyle. I write a monthly newsletter for my patients and colleagues that I will post on this site so others may share.

Friday, September 03, 2004

Vitamin E has had a long and controversial history as a potential treatment for heart disease.While there are some large scale studies that have shown Vit E to be beneficial, there are others that haven’t.The HOPE trial is the first to suggest that Vit E may actually increase certain types of heart disease.

All the studies for heart disease have used alpha tocopherol or dl alpha tocopherol.Vitamin E in nature has four isomers; alpha , beta, gamma, and delta tocopherols.

More and more research is showing that it is the gamma tocopherol that has cardioprotective effect.Furthermore large doses of alpha tocopherol results in a decline in serum gamma tocopherol.Epidemiological studies of natural (from food, mixed tocopherols) versus synthetic(alpha alone) Vit E have shown that natural works synthetic doesn’t.

So before you stop taking your Vit E try a mixed tocopherol in proportions that are found in food.

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About Me

Since 1985, Glenn Smith has been providing his services in a natural-care, family-practice office. After all these years, he is still amazed at the body's ability to respond and heal naturally. Dr. Smith specializes in Acupuncture, Naturopathy, Naprapathy, and Chiropractic care. After completing undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering at Valparaiso University, Dr. Smith received a Doctor of Naprapathy Degree from the Chicago National College of Naprapathy - where he met his wife, Dr. Julie Smith. He then earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree from the National Chiropractic College in Lombard, where he was honored with the Academic Program Development Award. He is board certified and licensed in Acupuncture, Naturopathy and Naprapathy. Dr. Smith is a member of several associations, including the American Chiropractic Association, Illinois Chirpractic Society, and Illinois Acupuncture Federation. Dr. Smith is married to his partner, Dr. Julie Smith. They enjoy an active life with their two children, and can often be found playing insturments and singing in local musical groups as well as attending the alpaca herd.